Lawrence E. Watkins Sr.

Lawrence E. "Pie" Watkins Sr., 75, died on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at his Brooks home in the loving presence of his wife and best friend, Glenda, their children, grandchildren, great- and great-great-grandchildren, family and friends.
He was born Jan. 21, 1940, in Jefferson County, the 10th child of 16 to his parents, Russell and Bonnie Brown Watkins.
Lawrence was a 34-year resident of First Street in Shepherdsville, where he was treated like a neighborhood dad or grandpa by many of the local kids. He was a 17-year resident of Brooks. Among his accomplishments, Lawrence was a retired heavy equipment operating with the Operating Engineers, Local 181, a 48-year member. He established Pie Excavating construction company. With his wife, Glenda, they owned and operated Watkins Food and Gas, located in Brooks.
Lawrence loved dirt track racing, street rods and was an accomplished hobby golfer with two hole in one club entries. He was a member of Shepherdsville Gospel Chapel.
In life, he felt his greatest achievement was his 58-year marriage to the love of his life, Glenda Bracy Watkins and their 10 kids, 26 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Watkins Stasel; son, Thomas Rex Watkins; parents, Russell and Bonnie; brothers, Pete, Jack, David, Russell and Rell; and sisters, Bertha, Dorothy, Alma, Margaret and Rosie.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda; children, Lawrence (Shirley) Jr., Rebecca Lee Watkins Vest, Robert L. (Gina) Watkins, James A. (Jean Marie) Watkins, Donald R. (Norma) Watkins Sr., Theresa Jo (Doug) Watkins, Lori L. Watkins Tetreault, Mary Sue (Noel) Lindsey and Glenda Sue (Brian) Holder; sisters, Mary "Stinker" (Jerry), Clara (Ronnie), Loella, Pauline; and a brother, Charles (Sandra); grandchildren, great- and great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Others who share our loss are Donnie, Kenny and Mike and many other life-long friends.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at Shepherdsville Gospel Chapel on Hester Street in Shepherdsville with burial to follow in Hebron Cemetery. Visitation from 3-8 on Thursday, 10-8 p.m. o n Friday at Hardy-Close Funeral Home in Shepherdsville and after 9 a.m. on Saturday at the church.